paramount power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paramount power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the highest or most important authority or influence in a particular context, such as politics or governance. Example: "In this country, the constitution is considered the paramount power that governs all laws and regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Then as now, the paramount power said the blockade was legal, and that the passengers had no right to land.

The New York Times

During the 15th and early 16th centuries, no paramount power enjoyed effective control over most of north India and Bengal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The "Basic Annals" gave a dated chronological outline centred on events at the court considered to have been the paramount power at the time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Putin became Russia's prime minister after his second term as president ended in 2008, retaining paramount power over his handpicked successor, Dmitri A. Medvedev.

The New York Times

In 1979 the matter was raised when Hong Kong's then governor, Sir Murray MacLehose, met Deng Xiaoping, who had recently assumed paramount power in China.

The Economist

Paramount power in Kyrgyzstan is now shared among five factions, an arrangement intended to minimize the political enmity of the past, particularly between elites from the rival northern and southern regions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The next month, after Hanoi had established a new government in Phnom Penh, Chinese troops attacked along the North Vietnamese border to drive home the point that China remained the paramount regional power.

The New York Times

"The paramount political power rests with Sonia Gandhi, who holds no cabinet position, while the government is led by an unelected prime minister, who lacks a political base of his own," it said.

BBC

Judge John D. Bates of Federal District Court in Washington is hearing the case, a fight over which branch of government's claim is paramount: the executive power to keep records confidential or the legislative right to investigate how money is spent.

The New York Times

A1 Cheney and Congress in Court A federal judge heard arguments from lawyers for Vice President Dick Cheney and Congress's General Accounting Office over which branch of government's claim is paramount: the executive power to keep records confidential or the legislative right to investigate how public money is spent.

The New York Times

It is necessary to stress the paramount importance of power consumption in the design of wireless networks.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "paramount power", ensure that the context clearly establishes what sphere the power is paramount within. For example, "the paramount power in the region" specifies a geographic scope.

Common error

Avoid using "paramount power" without specifying the domain or area of influence. Saying "the paramount power" without context can be vague and confusing. Be specific about what kind of power is being referenced, such as "economic paramount power" or "military paramount power".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paramount power" functions as a noun phrase, where 'paramount' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'power'. It typically describes the entity possessing the highest level of authority or control in a given situation. Ludwig AI shows examples in political, historical, and economic contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

27%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "paramount power" is a noun phrase used to describe an entity holding the highest level of authority or control. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered grammatically correct and finds frequent use in news, encyclopedias, and wiki articles. Its function is to highlight the dominance of a specific entity in a given context. Usage tends to be neutral to formal, but it's critical to specify what that "paramount power" has control over to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "supreme authority" or "dominant force" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supreme authority

Focuses on the highest level of control or governance.

ultimate power

Emphasizes the final and decisive nature of the influence.

dominant force

Highlights the strength and prevailing influence.

chief influence

Emphasizes the primary or leading role.

reigning authority

Suggests a current or established position of dominance.

preeminent control

Stresses superior control or command.

principal influence

Focuses on the major or most important impact.

overriding power

Implies a power that supersedes or cancels out other powers.

leading influence

Emphasizes guidance or direction.

top power

Indicates the highest ranking or position of authority.

FAQs

How can I use "paramount power" in a sentence?

You can use "paramount power" to describe an entity with the greatest influence or authority in a specific context. For instance, "During that era, Rome was the paramount power in the Mediterranean."

What are some alternatives to using "paramount power"?

Alternatives include "supreme authority", "ultimate power", or "dominant force" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "paramount power" or "greatest power"?

Both phrases can work, but "paramount power" often implies a formal or recognized authority, whereas "greatest power" can simply refer to superior strength or influence without formal status.

In what contexts is "paramount power" typically used?

"Paramount power" is often used in historical, political, or economic contexts to describe a dominant nation, leader, or entity. For example, describing the United States as a current "global superpower".